Subaru Impreza

Lore & Background

The Impreza was announced on 22 October 1992 and released in Japan in November of that year, offered as a four-door sedan or five-door wagon. It used a shortened version of the Legacy's floor pan. Initially, the car was to be called the Loyale, according to a Motor Trend article from March 1992. A two-door coupe was introduced in late 1995, called the Impreza Retna in Japan. Early engine choices included 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engines. Subaru continued its use of the boxer engine, citing lower center of gravity and reduced torque steer due to equal-length front drive shafts.

For the North American market, the Outback Sport was introduced in 1994 for the 1995 model year as an off-road appearance package on the Impreza wagon, with a slightly lifted suspension. The hood scoop on the American Outback Sport was non-functional. A limited edition called the Casa Blanca, with retro-inspired styling, was offered during this generation but sold poorly. The first generation received a facelift for the 1997 model year and an interior redesign in 1998 using the Forester's dashboard. Subaru of North America initially offered the Impreza with a 1.8-liter engine, later adding a 2.2-liter and then a 2.5-liter. The 2.5RS performance model was introduced in 1998 with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine and larger brakes.

The WRX name stands for 'World Rally eXperimental', and all WRX versions feature rally-inspired technology including all-wheel drive. Since the third generation, some markets have used the abbreviated Subaru WRX name for high-performance variants. The Impreza is colloquially sometimes referred to as 'Scooby'.

Reader's Guide

The Subaru Impreza's significance lies in its unique position within the global compact class, offering all-wheel drive as standard in many markets since the late 1990s, a feature usually reserved for larger or more expensive vehicles. This, combined with its boxer engine layout, gave it a distinctive character and lower center of gravity that appealed to enthusiasts and contributed to its rally heritage. The WRX and WRX STI models became synonymous with performance and rallying, while the Outback Sport and later XV/Crosstrek variants expanded the model's appeal into the crossover segment. A 2019 iSeeCars study named the Impreza as the lowest-depreciating sedan in the United States after five years, indicating strong residual value. The model's longevity across six generations and its ability to adapt from a compact sedan and wagon to a hatchback and crossover demonstrate its enduring relevance in the automotive market.

Did You Know?

• The Impreza was initially to be called the Loyale, according to a 1992 Motor Trend article.
• The two-door coupe version was called Impreza Retna in Japan.
• The hood scoop on the North American Outback Sport was non-functional.
• A 2019 iSeeCars study found the Impreza to be the lowest-depreciating sedan in the US after five years.